Muon Space has introduced Condor-Ultra, a new high-power satellite platform designed to support emerging orbital computing, networking and space infrastructure applications.
The platform expands the company’s Condor family of spacecraft, which already includes the Condor-M and Condor-XL satellite platforms.
Designed for High-Power Space Missions
Condor-Ultra is designed to deliver significantly more power than Muon Space’s existing platforms.
According to the company, the spacecraft can provide approximately 20 kilowatts of power for payloads, with configurations capable of supporting up to 100 kilowatts depending on mission requirements.
By comparison, the company’s Condor-XL platform offers around 4 kilowatts of payload power.
Muon Space said the new platform is intended to support next-generation space infrastructure projects requiring substantially higher energy availability.
Focus on Orbital Computing
The company identified orbital data centers, distributed computing systems and space-based networking as key target applications for Condor-Ultra.
Muon Space said it has been working with hyperscale computing companies to understand operational requirements for future orbital data center architectures.
The platform is designed to support onboard computing workloads as well as advanced communications and networking capabilities.
Nvidia Technology Integration
Condor-Ultra will be available with support for Nvidia’s Space-1 Vera Rubin module, a computing platform developed for space-based artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications.
Muon joins a growing number of space companies adopting the technology, including Sierra Space and Cowboy Space.
Launch and Connectivity Capabilities
As one of the company’s larger spacecraft designs, Condor-Ultra is intended to support stackable launch configurations aboard SpaceX’s Starship launch vehicle.
Muon said additional configurations are also being developed for compatibility with medium-class launch systems.
The platform incorporates inter-satellite optical mesh networking capabilities and can utilize Starlink connectivity for communications and data transfer.
Muon previously announced plans to integrate Starlink laser communication terminals into its satellite platforms to enable near real-time data transmission for constellation operators.
Pathfinder Mission Planned
The company said the first Condor-Ultra pathfinder mission is currently targeted for delivery in 2028.
“The most compelling space infrastructure missions of the next decade – from global communications networks to scaled remote sensing to distributed orbital compute – require a managed and integrated platform that is powerful, stackable, and built to scale cost effectively. Condor-Ultra delivers exactly that,” said Jonny Dyer, chief executive officer of Muon Space.
The launch of Condor-Ultra reflects growing industry interest in space-based computing, communications infrastructure and other high-power applications that could require significantly larger and more capable satellite platforms in the coming years.
